Coordinated construction programme
Take a look at what's coming up on our schedule. It includes work being completed by Greater Wellington, Hutt City Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) as part of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi.
There will be significant changes in Lower Hutt over the coming years as a large programme of construction begins on both sides of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. This construction will have an impact on how people move around the city, and it will vary over time as construction starts and finishes in different areas.
The table and map below highlight what work is happening in the coming years, where it is, who is carrying out the work and the disruption you’re likely to experience.
We’re committed to minimising the impact of construction across all parts of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi. But it’s important to remember that large infrastructure projects, such as this, are complex and disruption will be inevitable. While these disruptions will be inconvenient at times, this project will bring long-term benefits to the community.
Last updated: Wednesday 10 June 2026
|
Who is leading the work |
What's happening |
Where |
When |
What this means for you |
|
Greater Wellington |
Building rock lines to strengthen the river's edge |
On both sides of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River between Melling and Kennedy Good bridges |
Ongoing |
Some small sections of the Hutt River Trail may be diverted. Heavy machinery working in the river and on the river’s edge. |
|
Greater Wellington |
Underground demolition |
Marsden Street |
Ongoing |
Heavy machinery at site Monday - Saturday. Some noise and possible vibration. No change to traffic routes. |
|
Greater Wellington |
Demolition |
4 - 5 Daly Street and 69 - 95 High Street |
March - August 2026 |
Heavy machinery at site Monday - Saturday |
|
Greater Wellington |
Removing willows | On both sides of Te Awa Kairangi, between Kennedy Good and Ewen Bridges | July - December 2026 |
No impact on vehicles. Some areas adjacent to the river may be closed to the public while tree-felling takes place. |
|
Greater Wellington |
Extracting gravel and alignment works | Inside the river corridor | July - December 2026 | Heavy machinery working inside the river corridor. In these areas, direct access to the water’s edge will be restricted. |
|
Wellington Electricity for Greater Wellington |
Relocation of 33kV & 11kV electricity lines begins | Starting at Melling Substation, heading south to Marsden Street | Ongoing | Expect traffic management and restricted access to the riverbank and shared path areas. |
|
NZTA (Melling Transport Improvements) |
Closure of western side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River corridor for site establishment for Melling Link Bridge and SH2 works | River corridor area between Block Rd and approx. 800m south of Belmont School | Ongoing | All users including walkers and cyclists will need to use a temporary path on the eastern side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. |
|
NZTA (Melling Transport Improvements) |
Closure of western side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River corridor for site establishment for Melling Link Bridge and SH2 works | River corridor area approx. 500m south of Melling Link Bridge | Ongoing | Path users will be diverted to nearby street footpaths (Pharazyn St, Marsden St and Block Road), or the eastern side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. |
|
Metlink / Greater Wellington / NZTA (Melling Transport Improvements) |
Melling Station is closed. Melling Line services terminate at Western Hutt Station Work to remove overhead lines and railway infrastructure is in progress. |
Melling Station and line between Melling Station and Normandale Bridge | Ongoing |
Melling Station is closed and people are finding alternative ways to travel. More bike parks are available at Waterloo and Petone Stations. We've boosted the number of Park & Ride facilities at Petone Station. |
|
NZTA (Melling Transport Improvements) |
Intersection upgrades |
Queens Drive / High Street |
Ongoing – for 2026 |
The intersection is closed to traffic. Pedestrians can move through it using the footpath on the McDonalds side.
|
|
NZTA (Melling Transport Improvements) |
Closure of the eastern side of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River corridor |
North of the Riverbank Car Park to Melling Bridge |
Ongoing |
A section of the shared path from Riverbank car park to the Melling Link Bridge underpass is closed.
We've opened a temporary cycle path on Rutherford Street – starting from the pedestrian crossing near Woolworths to the Melling Link Bridge pathway and underpass. |
|
Hutt City Council |
Design and build contract awarded for City Link Bridge |
/ |
November 2026 |
Expect public consultation from early to mid-2027. |
|
Hutt City Council |
Streetscape concept design complete |
/ |
September 2026 |
/ |
|
Hutt City Council |
Riverside Park & Carpark concept design completed |
/ |
September 2026 |
/ |
|
NZTA (Melling Transport Improvements) |
Queens Drive / High Street intersection upgrade complete |
Queens Drive / High Street |
December 2026 |
Intersection reopened with all new underground services, traffic lights, upgraded footpaths, road surface and lighting |
|
NZTA (Melling Transport Improvements) |
Large stormwater pipe installation |
SH2 at Tirohanga |
Late December 2026 – early January 2027 |
Southbound closure of SH2 between Kennedy Good and Melling for two weeks; diversions in place |
|
NZTA (Melling Transport Improvements) |
Rutherford Street closure |
Rutherford Street at Queens Drive |
Mid-January 2027 to October 2028 |
Traffic diverted via reopened High Street; expect delays while change beds in |
|
Hutt City Council |
Riverbank carpark closure |
/ |
January 2027 |
Alternative parking options will be available when the carpark closes |
|
Hutt City Council |
Riverbank Market relocation |
Dowse Square and surrounding Civic Precinct |
January 2027 |
A new vibrant location for people to enjoy |
|
Hutt City Council |
Construction begins on City Link Bridge |
On both sides of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River, between Margaret St and new Melling Station |
From mid-2027 |
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Stay in touch
Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi is a transformational project for Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai - Lower Hutt. It includes crucial flood protection and river restoration work, improvements to public transport, walking & cycling routes, local roads and the SH2 Melling Interchange, as well as urban revitalisation of the Lower Hutt city centre and a new pedestrian bridge over the river.
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